Entries in animals in captivity
(5)

Circuses are known for their mistreatment of animals, and after Blackfish (2013), the exposé documentary on orca whales at SeaWorld, we see shows featuring animal performers in a different light. These productions are typically avoided by the conscious-minded or those aware of the animal exploits at work to draw crowds.

Behind the magical spotlight and incredible acts put on by elephants and tigers in circuses around the world, lies a hurt and damaged animal. Abuse has long been an issue in circuses, but now it finally seems to have caught public attention and today more and more countries have banned the practice.

Captive rehabilitation is often promoted as a good deed with the animals’ wellbeing in mind and a way of saving stranded dolphins so that they can be released back into the wild. Unfortunately that is not the whole story. Many dolphins never leave captivity once they have been “rescued” due to the low success rate of captive rehabilitation. Marine mammals such as dolphins simply aren’t made for life behind bars.